Betrayal is the word that comes to mind when one considers today.

Todays reading is found in Matthew 26.14-16. Here we find Judas agreeing to betray Jesus. Judas had long had an undealt with sin problem and today we watch it finally reveal itself.

Today's Scripture selection is found in Matthew 21.18-22 where we find a very odd interaction between Jesus and a fig tree. Jesus actually curses the tree because it did not have any fruit on it. Seems a bit extreme. What can we learn from it?

Jesus flipped the tables! Should I? Should you? Listen in to these thoughts as we journey together through the week of Jesus death. Matthew 21.12-13

This week's episode looks at Matthew 5.8 which says, "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God." Pastor Jon discusses the idea that the pure in heart produce a sweet smelling aroma before God as the overflow of their heart produces purity.

Jesus says, "Blessed are the merciful." But what are the merciful? What does mercy even mean? Let's talk about it!

This week is a bit different as I play off of some of these that were discussed with out teens at Ice Camp this past week. They also further remind of us last weeks points that we must focus on our internal relationship with ourselves, our vertical relationship with our God and with our horizontal relationship with others.

It is helpful to see outlines as we study the pages of Scripture. As we look at the beatitudes, it is important to note that they all flow together. Verses 3-5 deal with one's relationship with self. Verse 6 deals with one's relationship with God. Verses 7-12 deal with one's relationship with others.

One of the things that the Sermon on the Mount challenges us to do is to live life representing the Kingdom of God. We often simply long for the kingdom that is to come rather than live our life representing the kingdom that is.

This week Pastor Jon looks a little more into the background of the Sermon on the Mount and discusses the foundational element of the first beatitude.